Guest Editors
Professor Maria I. Vaccaro
Email: maria.vaccaro@gmail.com
Affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular Prof. Alberto Boveris, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina.
Homepage:
Research Interests: autophagy, selective autophagy, zymophagy, mitophagy, VMP1, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, extracellular vesicles
Dr. Alejandro Ropolo
Email: aropolo@ffyb.uba.ar
Affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular Prof. Alberto Boveris, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1113, Argentina.
Homepage:
Research Interests: autophagy, inflammation, pancreas, pancreatic cancer, acute pancreatitis, gastroenterology
Summary
Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process essential for maintaining homeostasis and responding to various stress signals. In recent years, the role of autophagy—particularly selective autophagy—and vesicle trafficking has emerged as a critical area of investigation in the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases. This Special Issue aims to highlight the most recent advances in understanding how these cellular mechanisms contribute to diseases such as acute/chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
We invite high-quality original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms, functional implications, and clinical relevance of autophagy and related pathways in the context of the pancreas. Key subtopics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Molecular Mechanisms of Autophagy in Pancreatic Cells:
Studies elucidating autophagy regulation in acinar, ductal, or endocrine pancreatic cells under physiological and pathological conditions.
2. Selective Autophagy and Zymophagy:
Exploration of zymophagy—a form of selective autophagy that specifically degrades activated zymogen granules—and its role in preventing cell damage and inflammation.
3. VMP1 and Autophagosome Formation:
Mechanistic studies on VMP1 (Vacuole Membrane Protein 1), its interaction with proteins such as Beclin1 and Esyt, and its role in autophagosome formation and membrane remodeling.
4. Vesicle Trafficking and Membrane Dynamics:
Research focusing on the coordination between autophagy and vesicular transport systems, and how defects in these pathways contribute to disease progression.
5. Autophagy and Inflammation in Pancreatitis:
The interplay between autophagy, inflammation, and immune signaling in the initiation and resolution of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
6. Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer:
Insights into how tumor cells exploit autophagic pathways for survival, chemoresistance, and metastasis, as well as the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulation.
7. Translational and Therapeutic Perspectives:
Studies evaluating pharmacological agents, genetic tools, or biomarkers targeting autophagy-related pathways for diagnostic or therapeutic applications.
In summary, this Special Issue will serve as a multidisciplinary platform to advance our understanding of autophagy and vesicle biology in pancreatic diseases. By gathering the latest research from cell biology, biochemistry, gastroenterology, and cancer biology, we hope to facilitate new collaborations and guide future therapeutic innovations in this evolving field.
Keywords
autophagy, selective autophagy, zymophagy, mitophagy, VMP1, vesicle trafficking, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, membrane dynamics, extracellular vesicles
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